China’s ‘Artificial Sun’ Has Just Hit a New Nuclear Fusion Milestone

Artificial suns on Earth

EAST is one of several nuclear fusion experiments around the globe designed to mimic the reaction of the sun and stars using tokamak reactors. Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms smash together to form a heavier nucleus, releasing massive amounts of energy. By harnessing this power, several high-profile experiments hope to provide enough energy to end the world’s reliance on fossil fuels.

China has achieved a new world record in its development of a “man-made sun”, a fusion energy reactor. Scientists managed to sustain the reactor, at the extreme temperature of 70 million degrees Celsius for 1,056 seconds. In May, scientists also made a breakthrough, when they were able to achieve a plasma temperature of 120 million degrees Celsius for 101 seconds. China’s development of an “artificial” sun is part of its mission to find solutions to create limitless clean energy.